2026 New Mexico Senior Championship and 

Tony Schroeder Memorial Open

January 17th - January 18th, 2026

AIMS @ UNM

933 Bradbury Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

 

Sections:

• Senior (Must be age 50 or older by 07/25/2026, winner qualifies for Irwin Invitational in Grand Rapids, MI) USCF Rated, 4-Round Swiss, g/60+30
  • Entry Fee: $40 by 1/1/26, $50 by 1/17/26, $60 on 1/17/26
• Championship (1600+): USCF Rated, 4-Round Swiss, g/60+30
  • Entry Fee: $50 by 1/1/26, $60 by 1/17/26, $70 on 1/17/26
• Under 1800: USCF Rated, 4-Round Swiss, g60+30
  • Entry Fee: $40 by 1/1/26, $50 by 1/17/26, $60 on 1/17/26
• Under 1000: USCF Rated,4-Round Swiss, g30d5
  • Entry Fee: $20 by 1/1/26, $30 by 1/17/26, $40 on 1/17/26

 

Prizes: (Based on 10 players per section)

• Senior: 1st: $200 + Plaque*, 2nd: $120, Bottom Half: $80
  • 1st place after playoffs* will also receive the 2026 New Mexico State Senior Champion title and an invitation to represent New Mexico at the 2025 John T. Irwin National Tournament of Senior State Champions at the US Open in Grand Rapids, MI, July 2026.
• Championship (1600+): 1st: $250, 2nd: $150, U1900: $100
• Under 1800: 1st: $200, 2nd: $120, U1400: $80
• Under 1000: 1st: $150, 2nd: $90, U500: $60

*In the event of a tie, there will be a g15d5 playoff for the title and Irwin Invitational spot

 

Schedule:

Irwin Senior Qualifier, U1800 and Championship (1600+) Sections:

January 17th -

• Round 1 : 10am
• Round 2 : 1:30pm

January 18th -

• Round 3 : 10am
• Round 4 : 1:30pm

Under 1000 Section:

January 17th -

• Round 1 : 10am
• Round 2 : 11:30am
• Round 3 : 1pm
• Round 4 : 2:30pm

Special Notes:

*Playoff Procedures: There shall be a playoff for any tie involving first place in the Irwin Senior Qualifier section. The playoff winner shall receive the 2026 New Mexico State Senior Champion title and an invitation to represent New Mexico at the 2026 John T. Irwin National Tournament of Senior State Champions. All players involved in the tie shall split the prize money equally. The playoff will be a g/15d5 match with two games. Both players will play each color once. In the event of a playoff tie, they will play a match of two g/5+3 games until a winner is decided. In the event of more than two players tied for first, the playoff will be a g/15d5 round robin with random seeding for colors. In the event of two tied players after the round robin, then a blitz match will take place.

200-Point Rule: Must be within 200 points of next section to play up. Players may use the following to qualify. No exceptions:

- current published rating, recent supplement rating, or live rating

Byes: Up to 1 optional half-point byes may be requested BEFORE round 1. All byes requested during the event are zero points.

Unrated players: Unrated players may play in Senior Championship or u1000 sections. Unrated players in the U1000 section are eligible for half the prize amounts awarded. Unrated players are not eligible for class prizes (under prizes).

Spectators: No spectators are allowed in playing areas when the games have begun for the day. A designated spectator area will be available.

Electronic Devices: Please read NMCO's Electronic Device Policy at nmchess.org/rules